3 Mets trade targets: Prado, Segura, Tulowitzki

robert criscola

Milwaukee's Jean Segura could be a quick-fix for the Mets at short.

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The Mets still find themselves in contention in June, but most realize that New York has a flawed team. As great as their starting and relief pitching has been, the Mets have struggled to produce runs all season, and that lack of production came to roost when they were no-hit by San Francisco Giants rookie Chris Heston. Help is on the way in the form of catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who hasn’t played in over six weeks, but David Wright is still missing in action. Wright was diagnosed with spinal stenosis after several setbacks in rehab and his future with the club, both immediate and long-term, has been called into question. So what avenues will the Mets take to bolster their squad before the trade deadline in July? Here are some options.

Martin Prado, Marlins

Prado has only played third base for Miami this year but he can also play second base as well as the corner outfield positions, and that versatility would help the Mets whether Prado was brought in as a starter or a bench player. He is signed through 2016 and he’ll be owed $11 million, with $3 million of that being paid by the Yankees (who dealt Prado to the Marlins in the offseason). Despite playing for four different clubs since 2012, Prado has been steady in the field, providing league-average defense, and he’s kept his batting average hovering around his solid career number of .291. The floundering Marlins could really use some help in the starting pitching department, but it is unlikely that they would want to take Jon Niese or Dillon Gee. Instead the Mets would probably have to surrender a decent pitching prospect.

Jean Segura, Brewers

The Milwaukee shortstop could be a good short-term option to boost the Mets' sagging offense. Segura is having a great season at the dish, hitting .287, and is providing good at-bats at the top of the order for the Brew Crew. Milwaukee lacks pitching, but a rebuild could be on the way there so it’s unclear whether or not they would want Niese or Gee. They too would probably be eyeing a prospect. If the Mets were to bring in Segura, Wilmer Flores would have to shift to either second or third base, and that could also create a logjam if Wright and Daniel Murphy return soon.

Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies

Tulowitzki would be a reach as the Mets explored bringing in the Rockies shortstop during the winter, but his price tag was reported to be extremely high and would’ve included two pitchers. The Mets would also be on the hook in paying at least some of his massive 6-year/$118 million contract, which doesn’t expire until 2020. There’s a reason why the asking price for Tulowitzki is so high though. Despite his frequent trips to the DL, he provides serious pop in the lineup as he’s currently batting .311 with seven homers and 32 RBIs.